A Chronological History of the North Carolina Native Plant Society
75 Years of Education, Conservation, and Stewardship
1951
April 29 – The Society is Founded
Fifty North Carolinians gathered at Smithwind Farm near Chapel Hill, home of Herbert and Conner Smith, to establish the North Carolina Wild Flower Preservation Society (NCWFPS). Mrs. Herbert (Conner) Smith was elected the Society’s first president. The new organization was founded to preserve native wildflowers, encourage their study, and foster appreciation of North Carolina’s native flora.
1952
The Society published its first newsletter under the leadership of Rebecca Causey.
Members launched their first statewide conservation campaign, opposing the commercial harvesting of native evergreens for Christmas decorations.
1954
The Society advocated the use of native plants in North Carolina highway plantings and later supported roadside wildflower seed collection.
The Society strengthened partnerships with the State Parks Commission and the Department of Conservation and Development.
1955
AprilF. H. Brandt of the North Carolina Highway Department presented a program on erosion control and preserving existing native vegetation during highway construction.
1956
May – Dr. B. W. Wells, Dr. O. M. Freeman, Dr. H. R. Totten, and Dr. Hollis Rogers were appointed to prepare a statewide conservation list.
Dr. Hollis Rogers urged educators to stop collecting wildflowers for classroom study and instead encourage outdoor appreciation of native habitats.
September 25 – The Society discussed incorporating in order to accept title to land being offered for preservation of the Sandhills Pixie Moss.
October -President Lionel Melvin reported that incorporation had been completed. Although acquisition of the Pixie Moss property ultimately failed, incorporation provided the legal structure that continues today.
1960
The Society encouraged the formation of local wildflower clubs and explored the concept of chapters.
Members voted to encourage republication of Dr. B. W. Wells’ Natural Gardens of North Carolina.
The Society began supporting the Daniel Boone Native Gardens through donations of plants and financial assistance.
1963
The Society adopted a formal resolution opposing the widespread use of herbicides along roadsides and utility rights-of-way.
1965
Members urged President Lyndon Johnson to support wilderness preservation, highway beautification, river cleanup, and preservation of native vegetation.
The Society supported development of the wildflower section of the Elizabethan Gardens.
1966
The Society officially opposed the proposed Trans-Mountain Highway through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
1967
The Society supported federal wilderness designation for the Okefenokee Swamp.
Society historian Josephine Pritchard died after sixteen years of preserving the Society’s history.
1969
Society leaders joined statewide conservation efforts opposing the Trans-Mountain Highway.
Members helped secure support for the creation of Stone Mountain State Park.
The Society began advocating for state acquisition of Bald Head Island.
1970
Members supported preservation of the Eno River Valley and circulated petitions urging acquisition of Bald Head Island as a state preserve.
Elizabeth Lawrence designed the medicinal herb garden for the Country Doctor Museum in Bailey.
1973
President Thomas Shinn challenged the Society to develop a handbook devoted to propagating North Carolina native plants, recognizing that reliable propagation information was largely unavailable.
1974–1976
President Jean Stewart organized field meetings at Jockey’s Ridge and the New River, reinforcing the Society’s conservation mission through firsthand experience.
1977
The Society published its first Propagation Handbook, one of the earliest comprehensive guides to propagating North Carolina native plants.
1976
25th Anniversary
Membership reached approximately 450.
Members returned to Smithwin Farm to celebrate the Society’s first twenty-five years.
1983
The Board established the Scholarship Fund Committee and adopted the principle that the endowment principal would remain invested while earnings supported student research.
1984
The Society announced its first undergraduate scholarship program.
1990
The Scholarship Fund was renamed the Tom and Bruce Shinn Scholarship Fund, honoring two members whose lives exemplified the Society’s commitment to education and conservation.
2000
Modern Chapter System Established
January 6 – Alice Zawadzki and Jean Woods prepared the Society’s first written guidelines for organizing local chapters.
January 8 – The Board adopted “Local Chapters of the North Carolina Wild Flower Preservation Society” as the Society’s official working guidelines.
October 7- The Piedmont Chapter held its first official meeting in Charlotte, becoming the Society’s first modern local chapter and establishing the model for future chapter development.
The Society also joined statewide efforts to strengthen North Carolina’s Plant Conservation Program and increase funding for rare plant conservation.
2001
Chapter System Expands
The Triangle Chapter was organized to serve members in the Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill region.
The Triad Chapter was organized to serve members in the Greensboro–Winston-Salem–High Point region.
These early chapters demonstrated the success of local meetings, field trips, educational programs, and community outreach, providing the model for the Society’s future statewide chapter system.
50th Anniversary
The Society celebrated its fiftieth anniversary at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.
Botanist C. Ritchie Bell reviewed fifty years of conservation progress.
2002
February 17 – The Board established the B. W. Wells Stewardship Fund, creating a permanent program supporting habitat stewardship and conservation projects throughout North Carolina.
2008
The SE Coastal Plain Chapter was established to serve the Wilmington, NC area.
2010
The Native Plant Habitat Certification Program was established, encouraging homeowners and organizations to create landscapes that support native plants and wildlife.
2015
Former Society President Alice Zawadzki passed away after decades of leadership and service.
The Blue Ridge Chapter was established.
2017
The Alice Zawadzki Land Conservation Fund was established through her estate gift to support permanent protection of North Carolina’s native plant habitats.
2023
The Land of the Sky Chapter was established to serve the Asheville region, continuing the Society’s tradition of creating chapters where members live, learn, and explore North Carolina’s native flora.
The Oconee Bell Chapter was established to serve the Cashiers area
2025
The Uwharrie Chapter was established serving the unique Uwharrie area
2026
75th Anniversary
The North Carolina Native Plant Society celebrates seventy-five years of education, scientific research, conservation, stewardship, and appreciation of North Carolina’s native plants.
The Foothills Chapter Established to sever the area at the foot of mountains, around Morgantown and south.
The Sandhills Chapter Established to server the area in the sandhills
The NE Coastal Plain Chapter Established
Over seventy-five years, the Society evolved from a small group of wildflower enthusiasts into a statewide organization dedicated to education, scientific research, conservation, stewardship, and the protection of North Carolina’s native plants and natural communities.